DYLAN: ONE MORE HEAD KNOCK AND I MAY RETIRE
England captain Dylan Hartley fears for his future
DYLAN HARTLEY will lead England against Wa le s at Twickenham tomorrow knowing that another blow to the head could prematurely end his playing career.
The 30-year- old, Grand Slamwinning captain has made just one brief appearance, as a replacement for Northampton, since lifting the Six Nations trophy in Paris on March 19.
Worryingly, he has no memory of that momentous event after being knocked out during the win over France. It was Hartley’s second prolonged break this season due to concussion and, in all, he has missed three of the last six months.
He was in upbeat mood yesterday ahead of the warm-up game for England’s three-Test tour of Australia. But the recent absences and concussions have left Hartley painfully aware of the threat hanging over him. Asked if he was concerned about being knocked out twice in quick succession, he said: ‘Yeah, if I got another one now, I would be worried. I would probably start looking at other careers — or maybe a long lay-off. But, it’s not something I fear. I feel strong and fit.’
Hartley revealed how the concussion manifested itself, as he struggled to recover from the blow he suffered when trying to tackle giant France prop Uini Atonio.
There were headaches and more besides. ‘ Lethargy,’ he said. ‘Constantly wanting to sleep. I woke up, had breakfast and went back to bed. I just didn’t have any get-up-and-go. One day, I thought, “Right it has been a month now and I’ve done absolutely nothing, so I’m going to go and get on my Watt bike”. I put all my kit on, put my water bottle on and I said to myself, “Get on the bike” — but I just couldn’t.
‘I almost tried forcing myself to get on the bike but I just said, “I Turf time: Dylan Hartley on the Paris pitch after being knocked out can’t be bothered” and went back team, even in the enforced absence to lie on the couch and went to of the Saracens and Exeter players, sleep. Then I knew that I wasn’t including his club-mate — and right. It took about six or seven another product of Rotorua Boys’ weeks to get over. I just woke up High School in New Zealand — one morning feeling good, the sun Teimana Harrison. Eddie Jones was out, I went for a walk and yesterday acclaimed the backstarted training again — 10 days rower as a ‘street-fighter’ — one of later I played.’ several newcomers with that streak.
Hartley is back in work mode now, ‘Harrison has done well — and the but he is mindful of his long-term two young props (Ellis) Genge and health. Being at home with partner (Kyle) Sinckler,’ Jones said. The Jo and baby daughter Thea armed uncapped Genge is among the him with plenty of perspective replacements tomorrow and Jones about his priorities. added: ‘They’re going to be good,
‘I just had a constant reminder — those two boys. They’re like two just waking up every day with the bowling balls. They’re going to bowl missus and little one,’ he said. some people over.
‘Every time that you see your kid ‘I think the other boys are a bit you think, “If I hit my head again, scared of both of them so they keep what’s that going to mean?”.’ their distance a bit.’
Hartley will lead a strong England While Luther Burrell has been recalled for a first Test appearance since being controversially left out of last summer’s World Cup squad, Chris Robshaw has been allowed to miss this match in order to attend his brother’s wedding. ‘He wanted to play but we had a discussion about it and decided he should keep the family commitment,’ said Jones. ‘Rugby is important but your family is more important.’
Asked if Robshaw’s absence could work against him in the tussle for back-row places in Australia, Jones added: ‘He is on the plane, but what position he is on the plane, we will work out on Sunday.’
Meanwhile, Wales coach Warren Gatland sought to stir the pot with talk of English ‘demons’.
In reference to his side’s narrow defeat at Twickenham during the Six Nations, the Kiwi said: ‘We could have won the game and five minutes longer, we would have won the game. It was interesting to see Mike Brown come up to us and say, “Oh my god, I could see it happening again” (following Wales’ World Cup win there last year).
‘There are obviously a few demons with some of their players to be worried about that.’